Calculating or adding machine



Dec. 11, 1934; a B PETTER 1,983,945

CALCULATING OR ADDING MACHINE Filed June 26, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l w g 5122 27 55 1 2/ 27 27 g 2 L j 2/ k. 33

15 "'62 36 5 O fi ffi I 93 13 23 (A10 66 f Dec. 11, 1934. Q G B }5ETTER 1,983,945

CALCULATING OR ADDING MACHINE Filed June 26, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 %@MQM V Wa G. B. PETTER 1,983,945

' CALCULATING 0R ADDING MACHINE Filed June 26, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Dec. 11,1934

' CALCULATING OR ADDING MACHINE Guy Baleley Potter, Yeovii, England, aaaignor of one-half to Potters Limited, Yeovil, England, a British Company Application June 2c, 1931, Serial No. 541,101

In Great Britain August 1, 1930 This invention relates to calculating or adding Figure 8 is a perspective view of a modified machines of the multiple bank type having a form of the invention.

series of ordinal keys in each bank and in which In the application of the invention to partial a gear segment rotates a pinion associated with keyboard machines five keys may be employed a numeral wheel upon depression of one of the numbered 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. When for example it is 5 keys to an extent depending upon the particular desired to add the number 6, 7, '8 or 9 it is neckey depressed. essary to depress two keys in succession. For One of the objects of the present invention is example when it is desired to add the numeral 9 to provide an improved and compact machine of the 4" and "5 keys are successively depressed.

10 the above type in which the actuating mecha- For adding the numeral 8" the 4 key is de- 10 nism is so constructed and arranged that it may pressed twice and so on. be accommodated in a casing which extends at Referring now to Figures 1, 2 and 3 0! the the back only slightly beyond the rear keys. A drawings which show the invention as applied further object is to provide an improved mechto a partial keyboard machine, five keys are pro- 5 anism for causing engagement of the gear segvided numbered 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Reference nument with the pinion in one direction of movemeral 11 is a pinion freely mounted upon a transment thereof and for permitting an inoperative verse spindle 12. The pinion has ten teeth and movement of the segment, relatively to the pinion is associated with a ratchet pawl 13 which is aron the return of said segment to the initial posiranged so as to permit rotation in a clockwise 2 tion. A further object is to provide a machine direction and to prevent rotation in the reverse having an improved arrangement of actuating direction. A numeral wheel 14 rotates with the levers and in which the shock of the arrest of the pinion and carries around its periphery the flgkeys is not transmitted to the levers or any part ures, 0 to 9 one of which is at any time visible 4 of the actuating mechanism. through a window 15 provided in the casing 16 The invention consists in the combinations enclosing the machine. The pinion is actuated 25 claimed in the several claims appended hereto. by means of a a segment 17 which enga The mechanism according to the invention may and drives the pinion forward on the downward be employed in connection with a partial keyboard str k of any n of th k ys and is adap d t machine or in connection witha machine having disengage the pinion upon the upward stroke a full range of keys. and to lie in its inoperative position completely 30 In order that the said invention may be clearly ut f en a m t w the pini n teeth. as h wn understood and readily carried into effect the i Figure o effect this purpose the gea 5 8- same will now be more fully described with refment 17 is pivota y mounted at 19 p n 8 8- erence to the accompanying drawings which illusment level the pivot 19 being located at a trate several forms of the invention as appli d convenient distance behind the pitch circle 0! the by way of example to calculating or adding maar s nt 17. h segment v r in turn is chine operating in the decimal system of notap t d up a p ndle 0 m unt d in th fram ti d i hi h; of the machine. The segment lever is pivoted to- Figure 1 illustrates in side elevation one form Wards the dd its length and extends along of actuating mechanism according to the inventhe bank 0f y a is P v p its pp 40 tion and applied to a partial keyboard machine; su a w th st ps 21 r sp nd n in umb r Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showw th t um of k ys for h pu p hereining the position oi'the mechanism when the key after Stated- The keys 2 and 3 (lo-Operate 51 depressed; with an actuating lever 22 which is pivotally Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing mounted on the same axis or spindle as the seg- 45 t position of t mechanism h t key 5 ment lever 18. The actuating lever 22 has at its has partly returned to its initial position; ard e d a p 23 wh p j int a slot Figure 4 is a, view similar to Figure 1 showing 24 formed in an extension of the gear segment a modified arrangement; 17. The slot 24 is of a substantially triangular 5 Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1 but illushape a d the pin 23 is adapted to lie in the p trating the invention as applied to a full keyof the slot on the downward stroke of the gear segboard machine; ment 17 whereby the gear segment 17 is moved Figures 6 and '7 illustrate in detail in side and into engagement with the pinion ll. G o-operatfront elevations respectively the keys employed ing with the keys 4 and 5 is an auxiliary actuatin machines according to the Figures 1 to 5, and ing lever 38 pivoted at 39. The auxiliary lever 38 55 engages the lever 22 by means of an arm or extension 40 co-acting with an arm 41 on the lever 22. The actuating lever 22 and the auxiliary actuating lever 38 extend beneath the keys and are serrated upon their upper edges the inclined surface 27 of the serrations being engaged by shoulders 34 on the keys upon the downward stroke thereof. The serrations are formed so that the edges are suitably inclined whereby the proper extent of movement of the actuating levers is afforded depending upon the particular key depressed. A stop 28 may be provided for limiting the upward movement of the actuatinglever 22 or alternatively the lever may-come to rest in contact with the shoulders of thekeys- A similar stop 38 may be provided for limiting the movement of the auxiliary actuating lever 38. The segment lever 18 is maintained in the position shown in Figure 1 by means of a spring 26. A spring 25 is provided attached at oneend to the actuating lever 22 tending to draw the pin 23 up the slot 24. The other end of the spring 25 may be attached to a fixed point or to the segment lever as shown in the Figure 1. When the actuating lever is in the position shown or while during motion it is in contact with one of the keys the spring 26 is efiective to overcome the tension of the spring 25 and to hold the pin 23 at the bottom of the slot 24. A further spring 38*. is provided which maintains the auxiliary actuating lever 38 in the position shown in Figure 1. On the depression of one of the keys 1, 2 or 3 the ac.- tuating lever 22 the gear segment 17 and the segment lever- 18 move as one piece and the gear segment 1'? enters into positive engagement with the pinion 11 moving it forward by an amount determined by the particular key depressed. The

auxiliary actuating lever 38 remains stationary when the 1, 2, and 3 keys are depressed but when either the 4 or 5 key is depressed the auxiliary actuatinglever is turned about its pivot 39 caus ing in turn angular displacement of the lever 22 as shown in Figure 2.

The keys are accommodated in upper slots 30 in the cover 31 of the machine and in lower slots 32 in a flanged or channel member 33 secured to a side wall or dividing partition separating the adjacent banks of keys. The keys are reduced in width at their lower ends as shown in Figures 6 and '7 so as to provide at their upper ends the shoulders 34 which engage with the serrated edges 27 of the levers 22 and 33. The keys are surrounded at their reduced parts by springs 35 which abut against the shoulders 34 and against the upper flange 36 of the channel member for the purpose of returning the keys to their initial positions, pins 120 limiting the upward movement of the keys. The strokes of the keys are preferably of the same length and the extent of travel is defined by the engagement of the lower ends of the keys with the lower fiange 37 of the channel member 33. As aforesaid the shape of the serrations 27 of the actuating levers is such as to permit the proper extent of angular movement thereof according to the particular key depressed. The stops 21 on the upper edge of the segment lever 18 come into engagement respectively with the shoulders of the keys at the same time as the latter are arrested due to their engagement with the lower flange of the channel whereby the movement of the segment 17 is also arrested. So long as a key is held at the bottom of its travel as shown in Figure 2 the mechanism is locked so that the segment cannot come out of engagement with the pinion, but as soon as the finger of the operator is removed the key returns to its initial position under the influence of its spring 35.- The gear segment and segment lever are now momentarily held by the non-return efiect of the pinion whereby the spring 25 is enabled to raise the pin 23 in its slot and so allow the gear segment to disengage the pinion as shown in Figure 3.

The stops 21 provided upon the segment lever are of such dimensions as not to engage the shoulders of the keys when the latter are in their inoperative position; for example, if the 5" key is depressed the stops 21 associated with the keys 1, 2, 3'and 4 will clear beneath the shoulders of those keys.

It will be appreciated that by pivoting the segment lever 18 substantially midway between its ends or midway of the key bank the whole mechanism can be accommodated in a casing which extends only slightly beyond the rear keys, this constituting an important feature of the present invention. It will also be observed that key actua tion occurs at a high level in the machine and that the lever fulcrums are at a low level. This (or the converse) permits the five stops on the segment lever to swing into engagement with the five keys at angles not too far removed from the horizontal.

' Instead of employing the actuating lever 22 and the auxiliary actuating lever 389. single actuating lever cooperating with all of the keysl to 5 may be employed. Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings illustrates such a construction. The reference numeral 55 illustrates the actuating lever which is pivoted at 56 upon a spindle mounted in the machine. The upper part of the actuating lever extends beneath the keys 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and has its upper edge serrated as at 27. An arm 57 of the lever 55 carries a pin 58-which is accommodated in a slot 59 in an operating member 60 pivoted at 20 on the same axis as that upon which the segment lever 18 is pivoted.

The end of the operating member 60 opposite to the point of pivotation 20 has a pin 23 which is accommodated in the slot 24 in the gear segment 17 and operates in the manner similar to that described in connection with Figure 1. The actuating lever 55 is maintained in the position shown in Figure4 by means of a spring 61 which normally urges the actuating lever against a stop 62. When any one of the keys is depressed the actuating lever 55 is angularly displaced which displacement turns the operating member 60 about its pivot 20 thereby causing the gear segment '17 to be moved into engagement with the pinion 11.

Figure 5 of the drawings shows a lever system applicable to a machine having a full range of nine keys. an actuating lever 22 of similar construction to that illustrated in Figure 1 the keys 4 and 5 co operate with an auxiliary'actuating lever 38 as The keys 1, 2 and 3 cooperate with in Figure 1 while the keys 6, '7, 3 and 9 co-operate with a further auxiliary actuating lever 42 which is pivoted at 43 and provided with an arm 44 which co-acts with an arm 45 on the actuating lever 22. An auxiliary segment lever 46 is also provided for those keys which lie beyond the convenient range of the segment lever 18 for exam= pie for keys 6, 7, 8 and 9. The lever 46 is adapted to slide longitudinally in suitableguides provided in the machine and to m engaged by a pin 47 on the segment lever 18. The end of the auxiliary segment lever has a slot or its equivalent 48 in which the pin 47 is located. When the segment lever 18 is moved about its pivot the pin 47 iary segment lever is provided with stops 50 corresponding to the stops 21 on the segment lever 18. It will be appreciated that neither the auxiliary actuating lever nor the auxiliary segment lever moves when one of the keys is actuated which engage the main actuating or main segment levers; The former only come into operation when one of the keys within their range is depressed. A spring 51 is provided ior returning the auxiliary actuating lever 42 to its initial position and the upper end of the lever may abut against a stop 52.

It will be seen from Figure 5 that the mechanism is so constructed that the casing containing the mechanism extends only slightly beyond the rear key 9.

I Figure 8 illustrates a further form of the invention as applied to a partial keyboard machine embodying certain modifications designed with a view to eliminating the necessity of employing so far as possible the use of springs. The gear segment 17 is pivoted upon the segment lever 18 which is pivoted on the spindle 20 substantially midway between its ends as described in connection with Figures 1, 2 and 3. The reference numeral 22 indicates the actuating lever which is pivoted on the spindle 20 and has its upper edge of serrated form for the purpose above referred to. The actuating lever has a pin 23 which projects into a slot '24 on the gear segment 1'7. The slot 24 (Figure 8) diners from the slot 24 of Figures 1, 2 and 3 in that it is a straight slot with parallel sides the pin 23 being a working fit in the slot. The slot 24 is inclined so that a normal to the surface of the slot lies well above the pivot 20 of the segment lever so as to assist the teeth of the gear segment to move past the teeth of the pinion 11 or out of operative engagement therewith upon the return stroke. This construction of slot enables the spring 25 shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5 to be dispensed with. Instead of employing the auxiliary actuating levers 38 illustrated in Figure 2, two independent auxiliary actuating levers 63 and 64 are provided the lever 63 being operated by the key 4 while the lever 64 is operated by the key 5. The auxiliary actuating levers 63 and 64 are pivoted on a spindle 65 and operate against a projection 66 on the main actuating lever 22 in a similar manner as described in connection with Figure 1. It is not necessary to employ springs for returning the auxiliary actuating levers 63 and '64 to their initial positions as they are returned thereto upon the return movement of the actuating lever 22 which in turn is moved to its initial position by the segment lever 18 through the medium of spring 18. Figure 8 also embodies a further modification in that the upper and lower limits of the travel of the'keys is defined by the engagement of a projection or lug 67 on each key with the upper and lower edges of a slot 68 formed in the dividing partition 69 separating the adjacent banks of keys. The in dividual keys are returned to their initial position by means of springs which surround. the reduced ends of the keys as shown in Figures 6 and 'I the reduced ends or the keys being guided in slotstormed in the flange 70. 7

Similar systems 01' levers and gears are provided and associated with each bank of keys. The invention may be employed in conjunction with any suitable transfer mechanism and with any suitable zeroizing or cancelling mechanism.

Various changes may be made in the term and arrangement of the parts without departing from the working principles described. For example instead of employing an actuating lever or auxiliary actuating lever associated with a number of keys separate actuating levers may be employed for the several keys if so desired.

"Although the invention has been described above in connection with the decimal system of notation it is also applicable to other notations for example the British monetary system.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:--

1. In a calculating or adding machine oi the type referred to, a segment lever extending along a bank of keys and pivotaily mounted substantially midway between its ends, a gear segment carried by said segment lever and means for causing the keys of the bank with which the seg ment lever is associated on both sides of the pivot on said lever to impart unidirectional motion thereto upon depression of one or other of said keys, means for restraining the rotational movement of the pinion in one direction said gear segment being adapted to engage and rotate the pinion in the unrestrained direction of its movement and to move past the teeth of the pinion or out of operative engagement therewith upon its return movement.

2. In a calculating or adding machine of the type referred to, a segment lever extending along a bank of keys and pivotally mounted substantially midway between its ends, a gear segment carried by the said segment lever, an actuating lever having a co-operating engagement with the said gear segment, and an auxiliary actuating lever, said actuating lever or levers being angularly displaced upon depression of one or other of the keys so as to cause the keys or" the bank with which the segment lever is associated on both sides of the pivot of said segment lever to impart unidirectional motion thereto upon depression of one or other of said keys to rotate the pinion.

3. In a calculating or adding machine or the type referred to, a segment lever extending along a bank of keys and pivotally mounted substantially midway between its ends, a gear segment pivotally mounted on said segment lever, an actuating lever having .a co-operating engagement with the said gear segment, an auxiliary actuating lever, said actuating lever or levers being angularly displaced upon depression of one or other of the keys so as to cause the keys of the bank with which the segment lever is associated on both sides of the pivot of said segment lever to impart unidirectional motion thereto upon depression of one or other of said keys torctate a pinion, means for restraining the rotational movement of the pinion in one direction, said gear segment being adapted to engage and rotate the pinion in the unrestrained direction of its movement and to move out of operative engagement with the teeth of the pinion upon its return movement.

4. In a calculating or adding machine of the type referred to, a segment lever extending along a bank of keys and pivotally mounted substanpivotally mounted on said segment lever, an actuating lever and an operating member associated with said actuating lever, a pin and slot connection between said operating member and the gear segment to permit the gear segment to swing out of operative engagement with a pinion in one direction of its movement, said actuating lever being angularly displaced upon depression of one or other of the keys so as to cause the keys of the bank with which the segment lever is associated on both sides of the pivot of said segment lever to impart unidirectional motion thereto upon depression of one or other of said keys to rotate said pinion.

-5. In a calculating or adding machine of the type referred to, a segment lever extending along a bank of keys and pivotally mounted substantially midway between its ends, a gear segment carried by the said segment lever, an actuating lever having a co-operating engagement with the said gear segment, and an auxiliary actuating lever the upper edges of said actuating lever and auxiliary actuating lever having inclined surfaces which are so shaped as to permit appropriate extent of movement to lie-imparted to the gear segment, said actuating lever or levers being angularly displaced upon depression oi one or other of the keys so as to cause the keys of the bank with whichthe segment lever is associated on both sides of the pivot of said segment lever to impart undirectional motion thereto upon depression of one or other of said keys to rotate the pinion.

6. In a calculating or adding machine of the type referred to, a segment lever extending along a bank of keys and pivotally mounted substantially midway between its ends, a gear segment carried by said segment lever, an actuating lever and an auxiliary actuating lever the upper edges of which have inclined surfaces which are so shaped as to permit appropriate extent of movement to be imparted to the gear segment, a cooperating engagement between said actuating lever and the gear segment to permit the gear segment to swing out of operative engagement with a pinion in one direction of its movement, said actuating lever or leversbeing 'angularly displaced upon depression of one or other of the keys. so as to cause the keys of the bank with which the segment lever is associated on both sides of the pivot of said segment lver to impart unidirectional motion thereto upon depression of one or other of said keys to rotate said pinion.

7. In a calculating or adding machine of the type referred to, a segment lever extending along a bank .of keys and pivotally mounted substantially midway between its ends, a gear segment pivotally mounted on said segment lever, an actuating lever, the upper edge of said actuating lever being serrated the inclined surfaces of the serrations being so shaped as to permit appropriate extent of movement to beimparted to the gear segment, an operating member associated with said actuating lever, a co-operating engagement between said operating member and the gear segment to permit the gear segment to swing out of operative engagement with a pinion actuated thereby in one direction of its movement, said actuating lever being angularly displaced upon depression of one or other of the keys so-as to cause the keys of the bank with which the segment lever is associated on both sides of the pivot of said segment lever to impart undirectional motion thereto upon depression of one or other of said keys to rotate said pinion.

8. In a calculating or adding machine of the type referred to, a segment lever extending along a bank of keys and pivotally mounted substantially midway between its ends, a gear segment pivotally mounted on said segment lever, an actuating lever and an auxiliary actuating lever, the upper; edges of said actuating lever and auxiliary actuating lever having inclined surfaces which are so shaped as to permit the appropriate extent of movement to be imparted to the gear segment, a resilient connection between said actuating lever and segment lever or levers, said actuating lever being angularly displaced upon depression of one or other of the keys so as to cause the keys of the bank with which the segment lever is associated on both sides of the pivot of said segment lever to impart undirectional motion thereto upon depression of one or other of said keys to rotate a pinion, means for restraining the rotational movement of the pinion in one direction said gear segment be ing adapted to engage and rotate the pinion in the unrestrained direction of its movement and to move out of operative engagement with the teeth of the pinion upon its return movement.

9. In a calculating or adding machine of th type referred to, a segment lever extending along, a bank of keys and pivotally mounted substantially midway between its ends, a plurality of stops on said segment lever to co-operate with the keys on their depression, a gear segment pivotally mounted onsaid seg'mentlever, an actuating lever and an operating member associated with said actuating lever, a cooperating engagement between said operating member and the gear segment to permit the gear segment to swing out. of operative engagement with a pinion actuated thereby in one direction of its movement, said.

actuating lever being angularly displaced upon depression of one or other of the keys so as to cause the keys of the bank with which the segment lever is associated on both sides of the pivot of said segment lever to impart unidirectional motion thereto upon depression on one or other of said keys to rotate said pinion.

10. In a calculating or adding machine of the type referred to, a segment lever extending along a bank of keys and pivotally mounted substantially midway between its, ends, a plurality of stops on said segment lever to co-operate with the keys on their depression, a gear segment carried by said segment lever, .an actuating lever and an auxiliary actuating lever, the upper edges of said actuating lever or levers having inclined surfaces which are so shaped as to permit appropriate extent of movement to be imparted to the gear segment, a co-operating engagement between said actuating lever and the gear segment to permit the gear segment to swing out of operative engagement with a pinion in one direction of its movement, said actuating lever being angularly displaced upon depression of one or other of the.

keys so as to cause the keys of the bank with which the segment lever is associated on bothsides of the pivot of said segment lever to impart unidirectional motion thereto upondepression of one or other of said keys to rotate said pinion.

11. In a calculating or adding machine of the type referred to, a segment lever extending along a bank of keys and pivotally mounted substantially midway between its ends, a, gear segment carried by said segment lever, an actuatinglever, a resilient connection between said actuating lever and segment lever, a cooperating engagement between said actuating lever and the gear segment to permit the gear segment to swing out of operative engagement with a pinion actuated thereby in one direction of its movement, an auxiliary actuating lever co-operating with said actuating lever, said actuating lever or levers being angularly displaced upon depression or one or other of the keys so as to cause the keys of the bank with which the segment lever is associated on both sides or the pivot 01' said segment lever to impart unidirectional motion thereto upon depression of one or other of said keys to rotate said pinion.

12. In a calculating or adding machine of the type referred to, a segment lever extending along a bank of keys andpivotally mounted substantially midway between its ends, a plurality of stops on said segment lever to co-operate with the keys on their depression, a gear segment pivotally mounted on said segment lever, an actuating lever, an auxiliary actuating lever co-operating with said actuating lever, the upper edges of said actuating lever and auxiliary actuating lever being serrated the inclined surfaces or the serrations being so shaped as to permit the appropriate extent of movement to be imparted to the gear segment, a resilient connection between said actuating lever and segment lever said actuating lever or levers being angularly displaced upon depression of one or other of the keys so as to cause the keys of the bank with which the segment lever is associated on both sides of the pivot of said segment lever to impart unidirectional motion thereto upon depression of one or other of said keys to rotate a pinion, means for restraining the rotational movement of the pinion in one direction, said gear segment being adapted to engage and rotate the pinion in the unrestrained direction of its movement and to move out of operative engagement with the, teeth of the pinion upon its return movement.

13. In a calculating or adding machine or the type referred to, a segment lever extending along a bank of keys and pivotally mounted substantially midway between its ends, a plurality of stops on said segment lever to co-operate with the keys on their depression, a gear segment carried by said segment lever, an actuating lever, the upper edge of said actuating lever being serrated, the inclined surfaces of the serrations being so shaped as to permit appropriate extent of movement to be imparted to the gear segment, an auxiliary actuating lever co-operated with said actuating lever, a connection between said actuating lever and the gear segment to cause the gear segment to engage a pinion actuated thereby in one direction oi its movement and to permit the gear segment to swing out of operative engagement with the pinion in the other direction of its movement, said actuating lever or levers being angularly displaced upon depression or one or other of the keys so as to cause the keys of the bank with which the segment lever is associated on both sides of the pivot of said segment lever toimpart unidirectional motion thereto upon depression of one or other oi. said keys to rotate said pinion.

14. In a calculating or adding machine oi. the type referred to, a segment lever extending along a bank oi keys and pivotally mounted substantially midway between its ends, an auxiliary segment lever, a lost motion connection between said segment lever and auxiliary segment lever, a plurality of stops on said segment lever and auxiliary segment lever to co-operate with the keys on their depression, a gear segment pivotally mounted on said segment lever, an actuating lever, a plurality of auxiliary actuating levers the upper edges of said actuating lever and said auxiliary actuating levers being serrated the inclined surfaces of the serrations being so shaped as to permit the appropriate extent of movement to be imparted to the gear segment, a resilient connection between said actuating lever and segment lever, said actuating lever being angularly displaced upon depression of one or other 01' the keys so as to cause the keys of the bank with which the segment lever is associated on both sides of the pivot of said segment lever to impart unidirectional motion thereto upon depression of one or other of said keys to rotate a pinion, means for restraining the rotational movement or the pinion in one direction, said gear segment being adapted to engage and rotate the pinion in the unrestrained direction of its movement andto move out of operative engagement with the teeth of the pinion upon its return movement.

15. In a calculating or adding machine of the type referred to, a segment lever extending along a bank of keys and pivotally mounted substantially midway of the length or said bank, a gear segment carried by the said segment lever, an actuating lever having a co-operating engagement with the said gear segment and an auxiliary actuating lever, said actuating lever or levers being angularly displaced upon depression of one or other of the keys so as to cause the keys of the bank with which the segment lever is associated on both sides of the pivot 01 said segment lever to impart unidirectional motion thereto upon depression of one or other of said keys to rotate a pinion actuated thereby.

16. A calculating or adding machine as in claim 15, wherein said actuating lever is pivotally mounted substantially midway of the length of the bank of keys.

17. A calculating or adding machine comprising a plurality of banks of keys extending from the front to the rear of the machine and registering mechanism disposed in front of the said banks of keys and having in each bank of keys, an actuating lever actuated by said keys, a segment lever co-operating with said actuating lover, a gear segment pivotally mounted on said segment lever, said actuating and segment levers having fulcrums fixed in the framework of the machine and within the range between the registering mechanism and the farthest key.

18. A calculating or adding machine as in claim 15, wherein the segment lever and the actuating lever are pivotally mounted on a common fulcrum located at a low level in the machine.

19. In a calculating or adding machine of the type referred to, a segment lever extending along a bank of keys and pivotally mounted substantially midway between its ends, a gear segment pivotally mounted on said segment lever, means actuated by the said keys for imparting unidirectional motion to said segment lever on depression of one or other of said keys, a connection between said means actuated by the keys and the gear segment for causing the gear segment to move into engagement with a pinion actuated thereby, upon the downward movement of the said keys and for moving the segment out of operative engagement with the pinion on the upward movement when the keys return to their initial positions and means for restraining the rotational movement or the said pinion when the segment moves out of operative engagement therewith.

20. A calculating or adding machine as in claim 19, wherein the means actuated by the said keys comprises an actuating lever connected to the gear segment and an auxiliary actuating lever the said actuating lever and auxiliary actuating lever having inclined surfaces with which the keys engage to impart appropriate movement to the gear segment.

21. In a'oalculating or adding machine comprising a plurality of banks of keys extending from the front to the rear of the machine and registering mechanism disposed in front of the said banks of keys, a segment lever extending along each bank of keys and pivotally mounted on a pivot extending transversely of the machine, the said noses segment lever co-acting with the said registering mechanism and means for causing the keys of the bank with which the segment lever is associated on both sides of the pivot of said lever to impart unidirectional motion thereto upon depression of one or other of the keys, the said segment lever 10 moving in the plane in which the said keys move.

GUY BAZELEY Pm.- 

